Vision Problems

[sunshine585]

I am post tx by a couple of weeks. I saw my optometrist  in June or July, re decreased vision in my eyes, especially my left eye. She acknowledged that there was a deterioration, but didn't feel itwas related to the tx, that it was age related, and gave me a new Rx. I didn't get the new glasses until just recently, as I felt my vision was still changing, and I was almost finished tx, so I was going to wait it out. I have my new glasses, and still can't see well. my left eye is totally blurred close up, and distance is not much better with the glasses.
  I will make another appt to see my optometrist, but not sure if My vision will recover post tx, if I should wait a bit. Seems to me, a previous treater mentioned something aboutvision problems.Also, it's much more pronounced in the evening, when I'm tired. At that time I can't see T.V. clearly, can't read at all,small print.
What say you prev. treaters?

[GoodByeHepC]

I was only on treatment for 6 months and my Eyesight has certainly ben compromised.
I've always had perfect vision - never needed glasses.
Now I can't read without reading glasses (non prescription) My right is more damaged than my left. I also have intermittent  pain behind my right eye which is actually more frightening.

My Dr. didn't warn me about potential eye problems nor did he recommend an eye exam as part of my baseline.

I'm guessing that the damage is permanent.

good luck

g

[sunshine585]

Update
Saw my optometrist today, I have definite deterioration in both eyes since my last appt in June. I have developed an astigmatism in my righteye and both my corneas have problems my left worse than right. She also said my eyes especially my left eye, are very dry, and both my eyes have edema. She does now think this is med related, not sure what the outcome will be, she is hoping it'll improve with time. In the meantime, she's made me an appt. with a corneal specialist.
My message to everybody is get your eyes checked, before going on tx, with any minor changes as well, better to be safe.
Epi, don't wait, get your eyes checked now. You want to rule out and/or prevent any potential probs.

[epiphiny]

Thanks for that info, sunshine, I'll find out what my optician's position is on this.  All the best for your eye appointment.

Epi

[sunshine585]

Thanks Bill.
Epi, I bought progressives too, and wanted to put it off for the same reasons as you, but my eyes had just gotten too bad. The optical store did tell me that the lenses are guaranteed to be replaced free in case of Rx change within 2 months. I'm hoping my vision will improve since I'm off tx, it worries me.
  S

[epiphiny]

I have also noticed a deterioration in my eye sight since being on tx but as I was already wearing glasses to correct astigmatism and age-related presbyopia I had put it down to needing to get my 2 yearly check up done.  

I am putting that off as I think that tx is magnifying my vision difficulties and I would rather wait until EOT or longer if I can before I get a new eye glass prescription.  My lenses cost about $800 (they're progressives) so I can't afford to change them often.

The ones I am wearing now are for close reading and computer work but now I can't see any difference between the two distances and I can easily walk with them on.  Prior to treatment I couldn't look out with them cos they made me very dizzy.

I'll admit it does worry me, and I do hope that some of it will be reversible after treatment.  Let me know what you find out, sunshine.

Thanks Epi :)

[Bill1954]

I haven’t personally experienced any additional problems with vision, despite a total of 152 weeks of treatment. I do have some loss of close up (reading) vision, but it’s likely this is age-related; I was having problems prior to treatment, and began using reading glasses for correction. Besides, I’m 54 now, I guess this is par for the course :o). Your doctor is probably the best source of info regarding self-resolution of any problems you’re having.

Have a great day~

Bill

[sunshine585]

Thanks,I'm going to try to get in as soon as I can. I'm a little nervous about this now. In the back of my mind, I felt that this might have been tx related, but, my optometrist, told me what eye probs tx could cause, and said I didn't have any of those. I became more worried as my vision has gotten worse since. Do the vision probs usually improve?

[annekynch]

thanks for the post bill.  i'm going on saturday and i'll bring it with me.  as with sunshine, i can't see the tv as well.  now it's an issue.

[Bill1954]

Good morning,

This is from Schering-Ploughs PEG-Intron product information page:

http://tinyurl.com/5ggdqf

“Ophthalmologic Disorders: Decrease or loss of vision, retinopathy including macularedema, retinal artery or vein thrombosis, retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots, opticneuritis, and papilledema may be induced or aggravated by treatment with peginterferonalfa-2b or other alpha interferons. All patients should receive an eye examination at base-line. Patients with preexisting ophthalmologic disorders (eg, diabetic or hypertensiveretinopathy) should receive periodic ophthalmologic exams during interferon alpha treatment. Any patient who develops ocular symptoms should receive a prompt and complete eye examination. Peginterferon alfa-2b treatment should be discontinued in patients who develop new or worsening ophthalmologic disorders.”

While she may be correct that your loss of vision is age-related, it’s been well documented that alpha interferons and be responsible for ophthalmologic problems. You might consider printing this info page (or directly from the link above), and taking it with you to the next appointment. It might give her some specific info to work with.

Good luck, and let us know how things go—

Bill

[sldb]

I would reccomend seeing an opthamologist instead of an optometrist, you need a good retinal exam.  Treatment does affect our eyes. Good Luck